Curious Researcher, The: A Guide to Writing Research Papers [Rental Edition]

For courses in Research Writing.

An engaging, direct writing style propels this inquiry-based guide to writing research papers

Featuring an engaging, direct writing style and inquiry-based approach, The Curious Researcher: A Guide to Writing Research Papers , 9th Edition stresses that curiosity is the best reason for investigating ideas and information. An appealing alternative to traditional research texts, The Curious Researcher stands apart for its motivational tone, its conversational style, and its conviction that research writing can be full of rewarding discoveries. Offering a wide variety of examples from student and professional writers, the text encourages readers to find ways to bring fact-based writing to life. A unique chronological organization sets up achievable writing goals along with week-by-week guidance. Full explanations of the technical aspects of writing and how to document source-based papers help readers develop sound research and analysis skills. The 9th Edition has been revised with new features and sections, a new thematic table of contents, and up-to-date coverage of MLA style.

The Curious Researcher: A Guide to Writing Research Papers , 9th Edition is also available via Revel™, an interactive learning environment that enables students to read, practice, and study in one continuous experience. Learn more.

Bruce Ballenger, a professor of English at Boise State University, teaches courses in composition, composition theory, the essay tradition, and creative nonfiction. He’s the author of seven books, including the three texts in the Curious series: The Curious Researcher, The Curious Reader, and The Curious Writer, all from Pearson Education. His latest book is Crafting Truth: Short Studies in Creative Nonfiction, also from the same publisher. Ballenger lives with his wife and two daughters in Boise, Idaho.

Introduction: Thinking about–and Rethinking–the Research Paper

1. The First Week
The Importance of Getting Curious
Developing a Working Knowledge
Narrowing the Subject
Reading for Research

2. The Second Week
What Are Your Research Routines?
Planning for the Dive
Developing Focused Knowledge
Keeping Track of What You Find: Building a Bibliography
Searching Library Databases for Books and Articles
Advanced Internet Research Using Google Scholar
Living Sources: Interviews and Surveys
Fieldwork: Research on What You See and Hear

3. The Third Week
Writing in the Middle: Conversing with Sources
Notetaking as a Scene of Writing
What I Hear You Saying
Your Voice and Theirs: Using Sources Responsibly
A Taxonomy of Copying
Plagiarism Q & A
Why Plagiarism Matters
The Notetaker’s Triad: Quotation, Paraphrase, and Summary
Notetaking Methods
When You’re Coming up Short: More Advanced Searching Techniques

4. The Fourth Week
Getting to the Draft
Organizing the Draft
Preparing to Write the Draft
Starting to Write the Draft: Beginning at the Beginning
Writing for Reader Interest
Writing with Sources
Driving through the First Draft

5. The Fifth Week
Seeing the “Triangleness” of the Draft
Reresearching
Local Revision: Revising for Language
Preparing the Final Manuscript
Looking Back and Moving On

Appendix A: Guide to the New MLA Style
Appendix B: Guide to APA Style

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